Youth network for democracy, human rights formulated

KARACHI - At least thirty young leaders here on Sunday formed a Youth Network for Democracy and Human Rights that aims to link it to other South Asian groups to make it further stronger, working in the context of specifically Pakistani society.The network had come up after the 10-day training arranged by the Sindh Community Foundation - a youth-led initiative in collaboration with the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, where these young leaders, hailing from 12 different districts of the province, took part proactively. Lectures were delivered by the veteran intellectuals and social activists of Sindh on human rights, democracy, peace and conflict, human security, leadership, advocacy and role of youth including Zulfqar Halepoto, Punhal Saryo, Javed Soz, Dr Ashothama.The speakers said there is no respect to the opinion of youth, who are considered constructors of the future in every nation,” he said, adding that in this regard, “We can see the recent move to passing Sindh Peoples Local Government Ordinance (SPLGO) by the provincial Assembly, in which the parliamentarians representing ruling allies parties did not bother to get the consents of common citizens. Definitely the law passed without consensus will not work effectively. In this situation, he asked youth to see what role they can play to avert move of destabilizing the democracy. We are struggling to nurture the democracy, strengthen the democratic institution and believe, in this context, youth can play their role effectively.” Punhal Sario of the Sindh Hari Porhyat Council and Dr Ashothama Lohano, Coordinator Sindh Taskforce Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) distributed the certificates among the participants at a simple but impressive ceremony.Three young leaders Abdul Nabi Mallah, Convener, Sana Memon and Surraya Buriro will lead the Youth Network for Democracy and Human Rights. An advisory committee led by Punhal Sario will help the network.Gender equality was given priority during the course designed for trainees youth—both male and females. This interaction and material they have been given during the training will guide the cadre to play their constructive role and prove them the responsible citizen in the society.The trainees expressed satisfaction, saying that the course they have learned was appreciable in many ways. For instance, they pointed out that “it is common thinking that parents always want their sons and daughters to be doctor and engineers.”“These are the mores of our society where social and political activism is being discussed differently. That is why youth sometimes face difficulties and lack of confidence to get space in the society to make their future brighten or at least play their role for betterment,” Sana Memon said.Abdul Nabi Mallah said: “we do not like to be a robot. Rather we will prefer to be conscious citizen to play role for the betterment of the society.”Mostly, the young leaders were students, studying in their respective districts with little backgrounds on similar interactions like tribal conflict, human rights and promoting education.Surraya Buriro, hailing from Shikarpur while sharing her experience of previous training on conflict resolution, said “there are more issues including tribal conflicts, overall intolerance and depriving women of their rights to education, marriage of choice etc. These issues are always inspiring for youth to step ahead for ending tribal conflicts and resolve other problems within their own neighbourhoods.” “I have learned here how youth can play role for the nation-building. We should come forward to guide the nation and do something for the betterment of the society.” Mostly, the young leaders were students, studying in their respective districts with little backgrounds on similar interactions like tribal conflict, human rights and promoting education. Surraya Buriro, hailing from Shikarpur while sharing her experience of previous training on conflict resolution, said “there are more issues including tribal conflicts, overall intolerance and depriving women of their rights to education, marriage of choice etc.” These issues are always inspiring for youth to step ahead for ending tribal conflicts and resolve other problems within their own neighbourhoods.”